Iris and The Giant is a fusion of the CCG, RPG and roguelike genres. You play as Iris, who must brave her fears in her imaginary world. Dive into a melancholic and gripping adventure, filled with cute monsters and buried memories. Ready to face your inner demons?
One of the key aspects that players love is the mechanic of consuming cards upon play. Unlike traditional deckbuilding games where players construct a permanent deck, the game forces players to constantly adapt their strategy and manage their limited card resources. Players praise this for adding an element of resource management and strategy, as they cannot rely on a set of signature cards throughout a run. Instead, players must make tough decisions on when and how to use their finite cards.
Players also widely praise the importance of strategic positioning. Enemies arrange themselves in a grid formation, and different card types have varying ranges and areas of effect. To efficiently clear the board, players must carefully consider enemy placement and select the appropriate cards. Reviews highlight how this creates a puzzle-like element, as players think several moves ahead to set up favorable conditions, such as positioning cards to block enemy movement or focusing fire on dangerous foes.
Players enjoy the variety of enemy types encountered. Each enemy has distinct behaviors and vulnerabilities, forcing players to adapt their strategies. From armored foes that require specific cards to break through, to enemies that can debuff or hinder the player, the diverse encounter design keeps the gameplay feeling fresh. Figuring out the best ways to handle different enemy combinations is a core part of the challenge, encouraging experimentation and a flexible approach.
While the core gameplay loop remains centered on the tactical card battles, players appreciate the meta-progression and unlocks that enhance the experience over multiple runs. Uncovering new cards, character upgrades, and secrets provides a sense of advancement and encourages further exploration. The ability to carry over certain permanent upgrades or collected memories between runs adds depth to the roguelike structure, as players feel a steady sense of progression, even as individual runs may end in defeat.
Finally, many reviews highlight how the gameplay is tightly integrated with the game's narrative. The core card battle mechanics are framed as the protagonist navigating her inner emotional landscape, with enemy types and card abilities directly reflecting the story and themes. This cohesive blending of gameplay and narrative is widely praised, as it elevates the overall experience beyond a typical deckbuilding roguelike.